Chapter 153: Military Commander

Five days later, Pang Yu stood before the screen wall of the Suzhou Grand Coordinator's office, carefully handing his visiting card to a Biao Troop guard.

The Yingtian Grand Coordinator was stationed in Suzhou and was the highest official governing the Jiangnan Ten Prefectures; compared to an ordinary yamen, his office exuded far greater authority and solemnity.

To the left and right of the office stood a stone memorial archway on each side; above the main gate, the two large characters "Military Commander" were written on yellow cloth; on either side of the main gate were side gates; in front of the gate was the screen wall, and before the screen wall were arrayed black abatis, with some army horses tethered to the chevaux-de-frise.

Those standing guard at the gate were no longer Auxiliary runners but Biao Troops holding regulation weapons, and no one dared to gather in front of the screen wall.

Pang Yu honestly presented his card at the gate; the Grand Coordinator Yamen's main business was not handling civilian affairs, so access was strictly controlled, unlike a county or prefectural yamen where one could enter as one pleased. Pang Yu had no Official Document issued by any locality, so he could only request an audience from outside the gate.

He was directly requesting to see Zhang Guowei; the Biao Troop guard at the gate told him to wait, and he waited an entire morning. No word came that he would be received, nor that he would not. By afternoon, still no one came out; the Biao Troop guards at the gate had even rotated a shift, yet Pang Yu still could not enter the yamen.

"Second Brother, how about going to eat some food first and then coming back."

Pang Yu shook his head and said, "If I leave and Zhang Guowei decides to let me in, I'll lose the chance. You all go eat first, just bring me some Dry Rations."

He Xianya agreed, then turned around and said something to Guo Fengyou, telling Guo Fengyou to take Xu Lengzi to eat.

Guo Fengyou, however, ignored him and still stood motionless in place. He Xianya glared at him with displeasure, but Guo Fengyou remained utterly still.

Seeing this, Pang Yu said, "Guo Fengyou, you know that Captain He is about to become Fast Squad Head; you, an Auxiliary of the Fast Squad, still dare disobey Captain He's words."

"This humble one came on this trip to guard Pang Squad Leader, and listens to Pang Squad Leader's words." Guo Fengyou replied respectfully, not caring in the slightest about He Xianya's feelings.

Pang Yu smiled and said, "Then this Squad Leader orders you to go eat. This is the Yingtian Grand Coordinator's Military Command, soldiers everywhere, no danger whatsoever. After you finish eating, bring some back for me."

Only then did Guo Fengyou turn and leave. He Xianya watched his retreating figure for a moment, but showed no sign of displeasure. After a moment of silence, he sighed and said, "People like us from small places, with no one to support us in officialdom, truly find it difficult to get things done. It seems Zhang Guowei probably won't see Second Brother, and wants Second Brother to take the hint and withdraw."

Pang Yu smiled and said, "If he refused to see me, that visiting card would have been thrown out long ago. As long as he hasn't said he won't see me, we have to keep waiting. We must get used to difficulties in getting things done; when you're asking something of someone, difficulty is only to be expected."

He Xianya nodded. "I originally thought a Military Appointment, something no one holds in high regard, Zhang Guowei would casually grant it. Who knew it would still be this hard."

"What I'm seeking isn't just a Military Appointment; I'm seeking the Anqing Garrison Commander post." Pang Yu lowered his voice and said, "This step from commoner to official was never going to be easy."

"Why not ask Mr. Ma for a recommendation? It would be better than this."

"We cannot go directly to Mr. Ma. He is an Advisor; if he comes forward to recommend, there will be suspicion of favoritism. Only when Zhang Guowei takes the initiative to ask him will Mr. Ma's words carry weight."

He Xianya sighed again and honestly kept Pang Yu company, waiting outside the Military Command.

The group stood there until the office closed its gates, yet still no one came out to lead them in. Pang Yu and his companions were completely rebuffed and had to drag their stiff legs back to the inn.

Early the next morning, Pang Yu came to the gate again, respectfully presented another visiting card, and then continued waiting.

……

"That Squad Leader Pang Yu from Tongcheng has come to Suzhou and submitted a visiting card requesting to see this official. He has no official document in hand and no one to recommend him, so this official did not see him. He has come for two days in a row now. Mr. Ma has met this man and should have some understanding; what do you think he came all the way to Suzhou to seek an audience for?"

In the rear hall of the Grand Coordinator Yamen, Zhang Guowei was not wearing his official robes but a dark long gown, his hair simply tied with a Scholar's Cap, as he spoke while continuing to write with his brush at the desk.

The gray-haired Mr. Ma stood before the desk and said respectfully, "When this old man was in Tongcheng, I did indeed meet with him alone twice: once during the Civil Unrest, and the second time after the Roving Bandits had passed, mainly to inquire about the course of the defense. During those times, I often heard him say that being a runner only goes as far as Squad Leader, unlike retired Country Squires, and cannot compare to those scholars, that it held little interest, and so on. For him to travel a thousand li to Suzhou this time, this old man feels the young man is seeking a future."

Zhang Guowei raised his head to glance at Mr. Ma, grunted in acknowledgment, then lowered his head again to continue writing. "But Tongcheng and Anqing also have futures; why travel a thousand li to seek an audience with this official."

"Your Excellency is the Military Commander; he likely wants to enter military service."

Zhang Guowei was not the least bit surprised; without even raising his head, he casually asked, "And why does Mr. Ma think he wants to enter military service?"

Mr. Ma's gaze followed the movement of Zhang Guowei's brush as he said respectfully, "If he could study and take the imperial exams, he could pursue a future anywhere. He must feel the exam path is blocked, which is why he came to seek an audience with the Military Commander; naturally, a military path is the greater possibility."

Zhang Guowei's brush paused for a moment. "It does offer more of a future than being a yamen runner. The young man has ability, and seeking a future is no bad thing. It is said the realm is in chaos, and for a man to enter military service is the proper path, but for him to come a thousand li from Anqing, I fear it is not solely to join the army."

Mr. Ma still could not discern Zhang Guowei's attitude. He wanted to speak further, but after a moment's hesitation, he kept his mouth shut. An Advisor like him derived all his authority from his Dongjia and feared arousing his Dongjia's suspicion most of all, so once Zhang Guowei's attitude became ambiguous, he would not push a recommendation with all his might.

After a good while, Zhang Guowei put away his brush. Mr. Ma hurriedly took it and carefully placed it on the brush stand.

Zhang Guowei closed his eyes to rest briefly, then asked, "A few days ago, the Huaining gentry submitted a letter to this official, impeaching Pan Keda for dallying with his troops and indulging the bandits. Two days after that, Pi Yingju sent a dispatch stating that Pan Keda was deficient in both Virtue and talent, collapsing at the first contact at Susong, and likely insufficient to garrison Anqing. Then, within a few days, this junior Squad Leader arrived in Suzhou. Does Mr. Ma think there is some connection, and whether Pan Keda is truly so worthless?"

Mr. Ma stole a glance at Zhang Guowei. The implication in Zhang Guowei's words was a suspicion that Pang Yu had colluded with the Prefectural Office and a group of gentry to falsely accuse Pan Keda in order to angle for an official post.

After considering his wording, he said, "When your subordinate was in Anqing, that was exactly what Pi Yingju said. During the Tongcheng Uprising, your subordinate accompanied Wang Gongbi across the river to Liantan and was in Pan Keda's camp. When they set out from Chizhou, only thirty percent of the troops remained in the camp; they scraped together city riffraff, Green-Skins, and beggars. After crossing the river, half Scattered. Then they arrested beggars in the Guanxiang of Huaining, and Pi Yingju had to seal all five gates. Only after all that commotion did they scrape together a few hundred men, with fewer than a hundred fit for battle."

Zhang Guowei was a man who managed troops and naturally knew the real state of the army; he showed no surprise upon hearing this. Mr. Ma did not state a conclusion, but from his words one could tell that even if Pan Keda was not utterly worthless, he had nothing to recommend him.

"This Anqing Garrison Commander post, this official has been considering it all along. Anqing is situated at a strategic point; one Garrison Commander is not enough. But the four Ying under this official's command are all in Jiangnan, and even for the Nine Prefectures they are stretched very thin. We always need a capable man to garrison Anqing, to guard against the Roving Bandits' return." (Note 1)

Zhang Guowei slowly stood up, his brow tightly furrowed as he continued, "There is news from court: Xue Guoguan has been continuously meeting with some gentry from Nanzhili and Zhejiang. There are those denouncing Zhou Yanru, and also those impeaching the Restoration Society and Donglin. The Capital is full of treacherous undercurrents. Mr. Yushan recently sent a letter, telling this official to be exceedingly careful. For Mr. Yushan to issue a warning means Wen Tiren's move against the Donglin is not far off. He currently enjoys the Emperor's highest favor and is difficult to deal with. At a juncture like this, Anqing cannot afford any more trouble."

Mr. Ma's expression changed. "If Xue Guoguan is stepping forward, then the plans are already laid, and troops could be at the city walls at any moment. The Capital, Nanzhili, and Zhejiang—these places will surely be the battlegrounds. Your Excellency maintains personal integrity and is diligent in administrative affairs; Wen Tiren will find it hard to get a hold on you, but Anqing remains a worry after all."

Zhang Guowei nodded in agreement. Mr. Ma then continued, "Anqing is isolated north of the river and cannot rely on the natural moat of the Great River; one never knows when the Roving Bandits might come. During this recent bandit incursion, with Fengyang happening first, Wen Tiren had to shield Wu Zhenying and could not relentlessly pursue Your Excellency. But if next time the Roving Bandits come only to Anqing…"

Zhang Guowei let out a long sigh. "Therefore, Anqing Prefecture is now a critical place, an extremely critical place. Does Mr. Ma have any guidance for me?"

"Your subordinate would not dare, but regarding Anqing there are only two approaches. The first is to push it away: using the distance of Anqing from Suzhou as a reason, strive to have Anqing transferred to the Fengyang Governor, or establish a separate Grand Coordinator to deal with it. Whichever method, as long as Anqing is removed from Your Excellency's defense zone, then Your Excellency's jurisdiction will all be south of the Great River, leaving only small towns like Jiangpu, none of which affect the overall situation. This is the best policy. The second is to fortify it: we cannot wait for Anqing to be transferred away. While Anqing still belongs to Yingtian, we must strengthen war preparations and strictly guard against threats. Pang Yu first quelled the Civil Unrest and then twice defeated the Roving Bandits, showing this man possesses considerable strategic talent. His name once reached the Emperor's ears, and this time he has again rendered great merit. If employed by Your Excellency, he can surely stabilize Anqing. This year, Zhongdu was burned, and the calamity of the Roving Bandits has greatly intensified; it can no longer be treated lightly. The Emperor is currently thirsting for frontier talent as if parched. Appointing Pang Yu as Anqing Garrison Commander would likely suit the Emperor's wishes. If he can gain some military merit, Your Excellency's position will be as solid as a golden fortress."

"Transferring Anqing away is not solely to preserve this old man's official hat. Anqing is a thousand li from Suzhou and truly needs a nearby Grand Coordinator to manage operations to be fully secure." Zhang Guowei closed his eyes and thought, then said, "Is this junior Squad Leader merely the courage of a common man, or does he possess both Courage and strategy?"

"Quelling the Civil Unrest alone could be considered the courage of a common man, but this time in firmly defending Tongcheng, he employed the Tongcheng Zhuang Squad, which he trained himself. The Zhuang Squad this old man saw this time was also more robust than Pan Keda's hundred men, daring to Sortie and launch night raids to strike where the enemy was unprepared. That can be considered having both Courage and strategy." Mr. Ma bowed and continued, "This young man Pang Yu once confided to your subordinate his thoughts of joining the army, and your subordinate has always wanted to recommend him, but due to the inconvenient nature of an Advisor's position, I never spoke up. It is your subordinate who put private concerns before public duty."

Zhang Guowei opened his eyes, observed Mr. Ma for a moment, and then said, "Mr. Ma, I have always trusted you. From now on, speak frankly without worry."

Mr. Ma bowed slightly. "Thank you for your trust, Your Excellency. But if Pang Yu is made Anqing Garrison Commander, there is still one hidden concern, and that is Wang Gongbi."

"Is it because Pan Keda is Wang Gongbi's trusted man?"

"Indeed. Although Pan Keda was ineffective in defense, he was, after all, promoted by Wang Gongbi. If he is rashly replaced, His Excellency Wang might have some critical words."

Zhang Guowei did not answer immediately. After pausing for a moment, he said, "Wang Gongbi is still a secondary concern. In employing men, this official prioritizes having both Virtue and talent, with Virtue before talent. Bring that junior Squad Leader in; this official will see him."

……

Note 1: In the Chongzhen Eighth Year, because Tongcheng County Magistrate Yang Erming submitted a letter of recommendation, arguing that Pan Keda had fought valiantly and rendered meritorious service during the defense of Tongcheng, Zhang Guowei promoted Pan Keda to Mobile Corps Commander, increasing his troop quota by 1,200 men, still stationed in Tongcheng.